Construction equipment sales rise slightly in Q3

SALES of construction equipment in the UK rose by 1% in the third quarter of 2018 compared with the same period in 2017, according to new research.

Figures released by the UK equipment statistics exchange highlighted the continued trend of a slowing rate of quarterly growth, with growth last year in Q3 at 5%.

In the first nine months of the year, equipment sales have recorded 4.2% growth in total compared with the same period last year. This amounts to more than 24,000 units.

Crawler excavators (over 10-tonnes) showed the strongest growth in Q3 and are showing over 18% growth in sales in the first three quarters of the year. On a year to date basis, mini/midi excavators (below 10-tonnes) are the next strongest product, with over 5% growth. The equipment type showing weakest sales in Q3 was telehandlers (to the construction industry), resulting in sales for the first three quarters of the year falling below last year’s levels. In contrast, sales of compaction rollers have continued to improve during the year, and are now only 3% below last year’s levels at this stage.